Read More

Aston Villa latest

Xia said: “I am extremely pleased to have formed a strategic partnership with Nassef and Wes. We have a common goal of delivering future success for Aston Villa and I look forward to working together to achieve this aim.

“To have come so close to achieving promotion last season was a humbling experience. In finding such strong partners as Nassef and Wes we’re gearing up to fight again and bring back the success that this club deserves and we all so want to provide it with.

“The future is exciting on a number of fronts and I look forward to exploring further business collaborations.”

Nassef is said to have a personal wealth of around £5.2bn, making him the richest Egyptian in the world.

Edens is a co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, a National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, along with Marc Lasry.

Forbes estimates his personal fortune stands at around $2.5bn (£1.9bn).

poll loading

Aston Villa fans, do you want Tony Xia to remain at the club?

12000+ VOTES SO FAR

DO THEY HAVE ANY PREVIOUS FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE?

Both men are football lovers, especially Edens who, before this summer's tournament had attended every World Cup since USA 1994.

He also spoke to David Beckham this summer about becoming involved in the former Manchester United and England star's MLS franchise in Miami, the Times reports.

Regarding wider sporting interests, in 2014 Edens and Marc Lasry purchased the Bucks from Herb Kohl for $550 million, promising to keep the team in Wisconsin and build a new arena to replace the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

And he's enjoyed great success in that venture - the value of the team has nearly doubled to just over a billion dollars since he took charge.

They were also in a position to recently re-sign their star player Giannis Antetokounmpo on a bumper £76.1m contract worth £366,000 a week.

Sawiris' ventures include a board position at sportswear giants adidas, while his brother Samih owns part of Swiss football club FC Luzern.

Read More

All you need to know about Aston Villa now

Read More

WHAT HAVE THEY SAID?

They issued a joint statement which said: “As lifelong football fans, we are excited and privileged to have become part of this great club. We believe that together we bring business and sports experience that will help strengthen the club to ensure Aston Villa can return to its rightful place in the upper echelons of English football.

“Our goal is to bring sustainable success to the club, building on its rich history while respecting its loyal fan base and unique culture. We understand that we are stewards of Aston Villa on behalf of the fans and we take that responsibility seriously.

“We look forward to working with Dr Tony to undertake a thorough assessment and evaluation of the club in the coming weeks and our priority is to strengthen the squads and structures ahead of the upcoming season and beyond.”